Woodward's Country Homes Part 7

Fig. 86 is the princ.i.p.al entrance gate to one of the most finely finished country seats on Newburgh Bay.

Figs. 87, 88, and 89, ill.u.s.trate a novel style of hinge, peculiarly adapted to this gate, and is really stronger than any other. It requires less iron and less blacksmith work.

Fig. 87 shows the top hinge corner, and figure 88 the bottom hinge corner. The iron which secures this end of the gate, pa.s.ses through both top and bottom hinge, and binds them and the gate securely together. The additional fastenings for hinge are made with carriage-bolts. Nothing but a power beyond the enormous tensile strength of iron and the compressible strength of wood, will cause the gates to yield in ordinary use.

Fig. 89 is a perspective view of the hinge, showing how it may be counter-sunk, and thus almost entirely concealed. Figs. 80, 81, 82, and 83, also show the hinge, and four different styles of stone gate piers.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 90.]

Fig. 90 is intended for a farm gate. The cross rails are secured by carriage-bolts pa.s.sed through them and the main braces. Each end of the gate has an iron rod only, which is made heavier than the others, and saves framing. The hinge is made by having the iron rod project beyond the bolt head and nut, and the upper end is pa.s.sed into an eye, as shown in Fig. 91, which is screwed into the post; the lower end is pointed, and is placed in a stone as shown, or it may rest on solid iron of similar form to the eye. Any intelligent laborer, with an axe and auger, can, with the iron work, make these farm gates.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 91.]

This principle of constructing gates admits of an infinite variety of designs; those given are merely suggestive. It admits of all cla.s.ses of workmanship, from the plainest to the most elaborate, from the simplest farm gate to those required for the finished park, and in beauty, strength, and economy stands unequaled.

Fig. 92 and 93.--Plan and elevation of an entrance gate, which we have executed in oak, and presents an effective appearance.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 92.--_Elevation of Entrance Gate._]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 93.--_Plan._]

DESIGN No. 28.

RESIDENCE OF TRISTRAM ALLEN, ESQ.,

RAVENSWOOD, N. Y.

The accompanying view of Mr. Allen's house is a good example of the method of adding to a dwelling which has ceased to be of sufficient capacity for the requirements of the family. By reference to the bas.e.m.e.nt or cellar plan, the outline of the old house and the foundation of the new will be distinctly seen. The addition transforms the cottage to a villa, and in a manner which preserves the proportions as harmoniously as if the whole had been erected at one time and from one plan, thus ill.u.s.trating a prominent advantage in this style of architecture, which admits more freely than any other, successive additions, which, when properly designed, add to the variety of outline, and its beauty of light and shade. The different floor plans show the arrangements of rooms and their connection with the original building, which, it will be seen, are convenient and compact.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 94.--_Perspective._]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 95.--_Bas.e.m.e.nt._]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 96.--_First Floor._]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 97.--_Second Floor._]

Ravenswood is one of the most elegant of the suburbs of New York, being near at hand, and having frequent and rapid communication with the city.

Situated on the Long Island sh.o.r.e, opposite the centre of Manhattan Island, overlooking the great metropolis and its outlying cities, of easy access to the Central Park by the h.e.l.l Gate Ferry, amid all the refinement of fine gardens, polished landscape scenery, and architectural taste, it presents at once all the enjoyments that a combination of city and country life can afford.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 98.--_Attic._]

DESIGN No. 29.

RESIDENCE OF LINDLEY M. FERRIS, ESQ.,

NEAR POUGHKEEPSIE, N. Y.

The residence of Mr. Ferris, of which we give the plans only, is located south of the city of Poughkeepsie, and almost or quite within its suburbs. The surrounding estate, of 150 acres of handsomely rolling land, possesses all the attractions of beauty and fertility so generally awarded to the finer portions of Dutchess county. In the immediate vicinity are some of the highly finished and well-kept country seats which adorn this portion of the Hudson, and make up the attractions which taste and refinement always add to country life.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 99.--_First Floor._]

The object aimed at in the design of this house, was that of a substantial and commodious mansion, suited to the requirements of a large family, and that should express its purpose in the simplest manner at a moderate expense. It was therefore desirable to avoid all costly irregularity of form, and all the fanciful varieties of gimcracks.

The style selected as best ill.u.s.trating this purpose is the Chateau roof, Louis XV style; the main building being 43 feet square, with a rear addition 25 by 29 feet; the plan ill.u.s.trating the arrangement of rooms, verandah, etc. The first floor gives double parlors, (one of which may be used as a bed-room or library,) a sitting-room or reception-room, dining-room, and a large kitchen, with necessary closets, an inclosed verandah, water closets, etc. The second floor, main building, gives four large bed rooms and two smaller rooms for other purposes, and in the rear are four servants' rooms and a bath-room. The attic story, main building, has now five rooms, finished with closets, and two rooms more can be added by putting up two part.i.tions. These upper rooms, in a roof of this character, are cool, well ventilated, well lighted, and agreeable in warm weather, there being roomy air chambers between the attic ceiling and the upper roof, and also between the walls of the rooms and the outer wall of the house.

There is but little difference in the value of these rooms and those on the floor below, except convenience of access.

The house is built of brick, in a first cla.s.s manner, the lower roof slate, the upper one being tin; is thoroughly finished throughout, and is in all respects a convenient, durable, and commanding structure, giving the largest amount of room in a desirable and attractive form, with the most economy of means. It is situated on a knoll overlooking all the surrounding grounds, which include a number of other fine sites, one or two of which, we think, even more desirable than the one selected. It is not, however, an easy matter to choose one from a dozen sites, each almost equally good.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 100.--_Second Floor._]

A new road is now being laid through these and the adjoining premises, to connect two of the princ.i.p.al drives southward from Poughkeepsie, which when completed, will add a new attraction to the beautiful suburbs of this city. The views from the grounds, more particularly from the top of the house, are varied and extensive. The mountain panorama, which sweeps three-fourths of the horizon, beginning with the Fishkill mountains, and ending with the Catskills, is exceedingly fine. The eastern view embraces the Va.s.sar Female College, the n.o.ble gift of Matthew Va.s.sar, Esq., to the cause of female education. In the foreground and middle distance are the rich rolling landscapes of Dutchess and the fertile hillsides of Ulster counties, the glittering spires of Poughkeepsie, the lordly Hudson, and southerly are seen the famous Beacons and the Highland Pa.s.s,

"Where Hudson's wave o'er silvery sands Winds through the hills afar."

DESIGN No. 30.

MODEL SUBURBAN COTTAGE--IN THE OLD ENGLISH OR RURAL GOTHIC STYLE.

BY FREDERICK S. COPLEY, ARTIST, TOMPKINSVILLE, S. I.

The general appearance of this Cottage, as seen from the road, is shown in the engraving, (Fig. 101.) which is a perspective view of the North and East Fronts.

It is situated at Montrose, on the lake-like sh.o.r.es of Hempstead Harbor, near the village of Roslyn, Long Island, a spot noted for its beauty and healthfulness.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 101.--_Perspective._]

Size of building, 44 by 38 feet. Princ.i.p.al Plan (Fig. 103.) 10 feet high. P. shows a recessed porch, with double doors of oak, (oiled) the outer ones open, to be closed only at night and stormy weather, behind the one on the right is a s.p.a.ce for wet umbrellas, &c., the inner doors have glazed panels to give light within, and should always be closed. V.

is the vestibule, containing a spiral staircase, with walnut steps and rail (oiled). The floor laid with encaustic tiles, with ceiling groined, and walls finished in imitation of stone in the sand coat. On the left (under the stairs) is a private door opening into a lobby, fitted with wash-basin, water, &c., and lighted by a narrow window, that also serves to light the front bas.e.m.e.nt stairs, so that a servant could answer a call, at either front or back doors, without pa.s.sing through the central hall; which would not only be more convenient for them, but would be to the family and guests, especially in time of company, when the hall would form a central room, by closing the doors that lead to the stairs: nor would this interfere in the least with the domestics, or their duties: as they can go from cellar to attic without disturbing the privacy of a single room: and the guests could ascend, unseen to the dressing rooms above, (from either entrance) or depart in the same manner.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 102.--_First Floor._]

The hall screen, separating the vestibule, should be of real oak, (oiled) and lighted in the panels with stained gla.s.s, which would impart a soft and pleasant light to the hall, and produce a fine effect on either side, day or night. The hall is here placed in the centre of the plan, and so happily arranged are the doors and rooms, as not only to give it a symmetrical effect, but to unite the whole, _en suite_, without disturbing the individuality of either. Also, the hall lamp and stove would light and warm, equally, every room, besides pa.s.sage, vestibule, and stairs. The cloak closet is in the pa.s.sage which contains the back stairs.

P. is the Parlor, which would be the favorite living room in the summer, as it faces the north, and has a large bay-window commanding a fine view down the harbor to the sound.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 103.--_Second Floor._]